Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill
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Maighread in Cork, 2005
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill |
| Born | 1955 (age 69–70) Kells, County Meath, Ireland |
| Genres | Irish traditional Celtic Folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Labels | Gael-Linn Records |
| Associated acts | Skara Brae, T with the Maggies |
Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill (born in 1955) is a famous Irish singer. She sings traditional Irish music. She comes from Kells, a town in County Meath, Ireland. Maighréad is well-known for being part of the group Skara Brae. She also works a lot with her sister, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill. They have made music with many other traditional musicians. She is also a member of a group called T with the Maggies. This group includes her sister, Moya Brennan, and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh. They released an album in 2010.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill grew up in Kells, County Meath. Her family spoke Irish at home. This is because her father's family came from Rann na Feirste, a place in County Donegal where Irish is the main language. She learned to speak Irish from a young age. Her sister Tríona and brothers Éamonn, Mícheál, and Conall also grew up speaking Irish.
A Musical Family
Maighréad comes from a very musical family in Ireland. Her father was known for collecting and writing songs. Her aunt, Néillí Ní Dhomhnaill, also collected many traditional songs. This strong musical background helped Maighréad become the talented singer she is today.
Singing Career
Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill first became famous with a group called Skara Brae. The group included her brother Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, her sister Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, and Dáithí Sproule. Skara Brae made only one album, but it became a classic.
Skara Brae's Impact
Skara Brae was special because they were one of the first groups to combine traditional Irish songs with guitars. This brought a new, modern sound to Irish language music. Maighréad felt it was important for people to know how this style of music began. She worked to have their album re-released.
Solo Work and Collaborations
Most of the songs on Maighréad's solo albums are sung in Irish. Her brother Mícheál and sister Tríona often joined her on these albums. They worked together on albums like No Dowry and Idir an da Sholas. Her first album came out in 1976. She has used different spellings for her first name over the years, but now uses "Maighréad". She has also recorded with the West Ocean String Quartet.
Personal Life
For a while, Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill took a break from music. She studied nursing and raised her two children in Dublin. She worked part-time as a theatre nurse at Mount Carmel hospital. She really enjoyed her work in the hospital.
Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill is married to Cathal Goan. He used to be the Director-General of Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), which is Ireland's national broadcaster.
Albums
- Maighréad Ní Dhomnaill (1976)
- Gan Dhá Phingin Spré (No Dowry) (1991)
- Idir an Dá Sholas (with Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill and Dónal Lunny) (1999)
- Ceol Cheann Dubhrann (Various artists) (2009)
- Ae Fond Kiss (with the West Ocean String Quartet)
- T with the Maggies (2010)
